What can replace drainage for flowers: top 7 best analogues for plants
Any plant needs proper care, which consists in watering, fertilizing, maintaining light levels. An important point is the organization of the drainage system. It ensures the he alth of the roots and helps the plants develop harmoniously. At the same time, many flower growers are interested in what exactly can replace drainage for flowers. For this, it is permissible to use various natural and synthetic materials.
Purpose of drainage
Many indoor plants require a special soil that is 15% air, 50% solids, 35% water. For this purpose, it is important to provide proper drainage in a flower pot.
The fact is that with excessive watering, air is displaced, which is important for flowers. In the absence of oxygen in the soil, the roots of the plant begin to rot, and the culture itself begins to wither. Drainage for flowers helps to remove excess moisture and provides ventilation to the root system.
To create such a layer, it is permissible to use a variety of materials. Important qualities of drainage are good moisture permeability, chemical inertness, resistance to rotting and mold formation. The fractions of the material should be chosen taking into account the plants.
What can replace
Drainage for indoor flowers can be made from various materials. This gives everyone the opportunity to choose the appropriate option.
Broken bricks and ceramics
Both materials have a natural base, are characterized by excellent thermal insulation and do not enter into chemical reactions.Therefore, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse and dry them, and then lay them on the bottom of the pot. For large containers, ceramic shards should be used. They are lighter, so the container can be easily moved.
Pebbles and rubble
These natural materials are usually available. Because they do not even need to buy. They will not remove excess moisture from the soil, but they are characterized by increased thermal conductivity. If you put a pot with such a drainage layer on a cold windowsill, there is a risk of hypothermia of the plant root system.
In addition, these materials are large. Therefore, all the water will accumulate at the bottom of the pot. As a result, the root system will not be able to absorb it.
Perlite
This material is a white grain that is obtained from a rock of volcanic origin.In horticulture, expanded perlite is used, which has undergone heat treatment. Such material does not rot, has low thermal conductivity, is able to absorb and release moisture.
Also, perlite can be used as a baking powder for the substrate. Thanks to this, mold will not form in the pot and putrefactive bacteria will multiply. It is important to consider that perlite is considered a neutral material. Unlike vermiculite, the material does not contain potassium and calcium. Therefore, you will have to add top dressing to the soil yourself.
Polyfoam
Material, which is often found in boxes with household appliances, can not be thrown away, but used as drainage. It can be used for growing indoor plants. Shredded polystyrene is not subject to rotting processes.
This material is mold resistant. Also, it does not absorb moisture, but passes it to the drainage holes. In addition, the foam can be used as a heater that protects the root system from hypothermia.
Charcoal
This is a good alternative to conventional materials. Charcoal is light and porous. This is an environmentally friendly product that has undergone heat treatment. In addition, coal is characterized by neutral acidity parameters and produces an antiseptic effect on the soil. With its help, it is possible to prevent diseases of the root system. At the same time, charcoal has a number of disadvantages. In particular, he stains everything he comes into contact with.
Expanded clay
This is a popular pot filler. In fact, expanded clay is considered to be heat-treated clay, which has a porous structure. In flower shops you can buy different types of expanded clay - small, medium and large. It is worth choosing the material taking into account the size of the pot. The larger the container, the easier it is to fill it with large fragments of expanded clay.
An additional advantage of clay is good thermal insulation. Therefore, it is permissible to use it for plants that are located on the balcony and are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. At the same time, experts recommend changing the drainage from expanded clay with an interval of 5 years. However, this material is considered quite affordable. Therefore, it is permissible to change it more often - during plant transplants.
Vermiculite
This mineral has a layered structure. At the same time, it is subjected to heat treatment. There are several variants of this substance in stores - from large to fine, similar to sand.
Vermiculite has strong absorbent properties. In addition, it contributes to the saturation of the soil with valuable minerals - calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. With the help of this substance, it is possible to reduce the acidity of the soil. In addition, the material helps plants cope with temperature fluctuations.Another advantage of vermiculite is that it can be used as a mulch. To do this, the substance is distributed over the surface of the soil.
Creating a drainage layer is an important step in plant care. To achieve good results, it is important to choose the right material. Today, there are many options that help remove moisture from the container and provide sufficient oxygen to the root system.
